Does NordVPN Work With American Netflix in 2018? See Our Test Results

NordVPN has fast servers, deep security features and excellent customer service. But after we reviewed NordVPN a few weeks ago, one unanswered question remained: just how well does NordVPN work with American Netflix?

To find out, I logged into NordVPN in Budapest, Hungary to see whether or not I could use this top-rated VPN service to find and play Netflix titles that are normally unavailable outside of the US.

Netflix Is Extremely Limited Outside the US

Every time Netflix decides to buy the right to stream a show or a movie that it didn’t produce itself, it has to work out a complicated and expensive licensing agreement to get all the parties involved on board.

Often, Netflix is willing to go the extra mile to secure the right to stream popular titles in the US. But perhaps because Netflix faces less competition in other countries, it often doesn’t spend as much cash to secure licensing agreements abroad.

In many regions, Netflix is pretty much the only option. So without a VPN, you may have to settle for much less video content if you use Netflix abroad.

Without a VPN, I can only watch 171 TV shows and 548 movies when I’m in Budapest. With a VPN, though, I can get nearly ten times more content. Many other countries have even smaller Netflix libraries. Netflix subscribers in Thailand, for example, can only access 94 TV shows and 210 movies.

Abroad, Netflix is often the only English-language streaming service around. In the States, Netflix has to compete with Hulu, Amazon Video and many other streaming video services. That’s probably why the American version of Netflix has far more titles than Hungarian Netflix.

What Happens To Netflix When You Travel?

After I realized how small Netflix’s catalog is in Hungary, I started using VPN services to access the American version of Netflix.

There are several VPN services that will get you into Netflix, but some are faster and more reliable than others.

Even though the price you pay to subscribe to Netflix never changes, thousands of Netflix shows and movies magically vanish as soon as you cross the US border.

For example, when I’m connected to a VPN server that works with American Netflix, I can watch AMC’s The Walking Dead without any problem.

Walking Dead only appears when I use a VPN to access American Netflix. Source: Flixed.io

But as soon as I disconnect from my VPN, Netflix blocks me from watching The Walking Dead and suggests that I watch Night of the Living Dead instead.

Without a VPN, all I get is a suggestion to watch Night of the Living Dead instead. Source: Flixed.io

How Does Netflix’s Content Filter Work?

When it comes to determining which titles you can access, Netflix only cares about your current physical location. It doesn’t matter where you signed up for Netflix or how you pay for your subscription.

Netflix and other websites use your IP address to guess your location.

IP addresses are like mailing addresses for the internet. Without IP addresses, information couldn’t flow from point A to point B.

If you use a VPN with Netflix, you can change your computer’s IP address and make it seem as though you’re located in the US– even when you’re actually somewhere else.

If Netflix thinks that you’re located in the US, it will serve up the American version of Netflix. If it thinks you are located in a different region, you’ll see different content.

Step 2: Download and install the NordVPN client.

Then, open the installer and click Next until you reach the final installation step to accept all the default installation options. Once the program is finished installing, click Finish to close the installer.

Step 3: Log onto NordVPN and connect to an American VPN server.

Once you log into NordVPN, you’ll see a map. On the top of the map, you’ll find three menus: map, countries and settings.

Step 4: Log onto Netflix

Now, all you have to do is open a browser and log into Netflix. Because you’re using an American VPN server to access Netflix, Netflix will assume that you’re located inside the US. As a result, you will be able to find and play thousands of additional movies and TV shows that aren’t normally available abroad.

Android devices

If you use an Nvidia Shield or some other Android-powered device to access Netflix, you can use NordVPN’s Android app to get into American Netflix.

Step 1: Sign up for a NordVPN account.

Go to the NordVPN website, then pick a subscription plan. Next, type in your email address and select a payment method. NordVPN will send you your login credentials via email.

Step 2: Download and install the NordVPN app.

The easiest way to get the NordVPN Android app is to download it from Google Play. Just go to Google Play and type in NordVPN to find it.

Routers

If you watch Netflix through a smart TV or other devices that don’t support apps, you can set up NordVPN on your WiFi router instead. Once you configure your router to connect to the internet via one of NordVPN’s American servers, all your WiFi devices (phones, tablets, etc.) will be able to log onto American Netflix.

Your internet router is the device you use to share your internet connection with all your devices. Today, most people use WiFi routers to connect to the internet at home.

Step 1: Find out if your router is compatible with NordVPN.

Note: If your internet service provider installed your router when you signed up for internet service, chances are high that it won’t work with NordVPN. Most internet service providers do not issue routers that can be configured to work with NordVPN and other VPN services.

Step 2: Sign up for NordVPN.

Go to the NordVPN website, then pick a subscription plan. Next, type in your email address and select a payment method. NordVPN will send you your logon credentials via email.

Step 3: Set up your router for NordVPN.

Follow the instructions on the NordVPN site to set your router up for NordVPN. If you run into issues or problems during setup, contact NordVPN support for assistance.

2048-bit encryption

2048-bit encryption is virtually impenetrable. According to CNET, Google and other major internet companies are upgrading to 2048-bit encryption because the NSA and other government organizations are now able to crack 1024-bit encryption.

You don’t need to turn on 2048-bit encryption if all you want to do is access American Netflix, but it’s nice that the option is there.

Encrypted chat

Encrypted chat — a feature that lets you exchange messages over the internet in absolute privacy — is a nice extra, but also unnecessary for accessing American Netflix.

Fast servers

NordVPN has invested heavily in its servers, which is why it is generally considered to be faster than most other VPN providers.

A few weeks back, we used speedtest.net to verify that NordVPN is really as fast as its marketers claim. We were impressed with the results.

Conclusion

NordVPN provides consistent access to American Netflix outside the US. It is also easy to use, especially if you intend to use NordVPN with a laptop or desktop computer. The fact that you can set up NordVPN on a router is also a nice plus.

Even though NordVPN’s interface is simple on the surface, if you dig deep you’ll find several advanced features that other VPN services lack. You won’t need secure chat or 2048-bit encryption if all you want to do is get to American Netflix, but if you do need those features, all you have to do is flip a toggle switch to turn them on.

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